I’m really struggling to start this post and not mention the weather. Sorry, but I just can’t help myself, how gorgeous has the sunshine been this week? OK, so it’s been a bit sticky and there have been some uncomfortable nights, Aiden particularly struggled to get to sleep when it was boiling hot one evening, but the majority of the time it’s been gorgeous. I’ve been really enjoying digging out my old summer clothes, especially because last summer I couldn’t wear most of them due to pregnancy, it’s like I’ve got a whole new wardrobe. I wore my pretty 1950’s vintage style dress that I bought from Warehouse 5 years ago, I didn’t care if it was totally impractical for nursing, it still fits so it was staying on!
Along with frozen coconut yoghurt, I’ve practically been having a love affair with my blender this week. Give me all the smoothies! This vanilla protein and banana green smoothie topped with almond butter, goji berries, pumpkin seeds and coconut was really good.
Mango, spinach, banana, avocado, cashew nuts and unsweetened almond milk also make a winning green smoothie combo. I had this a couple of times last week and didn’t tire of its summery flavours.
To mix things up a little bit, I had some scrambled egg, avocado and salmon for breakfast with a blueberry and vanilla protein smoothie on the side, yum!
Overnight oats made with Alpro’s coconut milk, grated apple, blueberries, coconut, full fat Greek yoghurt and lots of honey. I’d been having cravings for porridge, but couldn’t stand the thought of having something hot for breakfast so made these overnight oats that came out super creamy and the grated apple added some extra sweetness.
I actually thought this salad had roasted butternut squash in it which is what caught my attention, but it’s actually roasted carrot…ooops! Nevermind, it still tasted lovely and included spelt, feta, raisins, spinach, mint and seeds.
With the salad, I also picked up an iced matcha latte made with almond milk from the Modern Baker, which kept me cool in the sunshine whilst sitting in my garden.
Ever seen a green cookie? Of course, I had to treat myself and try one of these matcha almond cookies, it was soft and chewy just like every cookie should be and I really liked the taste much more than I thought I would.
I’ve definitely been preferring fish to meat recently and made a fish curry for a mid-week dinner and served it with steamed broccoli and coconut rice.
After the hubby had gone to work and the baby had gone to bed, I had the perfect quiet evening to myself and devoured half a bar of this salted caramel dark chocolate and some super sweet cherries, much-needed and my belly was very satisfied afterwards.
I renewed my annual pass for Blenheim Palace this week, which is going to be lovely for long walks around the palace gardens and picnics on the lawn – such a beautiful place and it’s practically right on my doorstep! Raspberries are now in season, so I took Alfie and Aiden with me to the pick your own farm yesterday afternoon for more strawberries and the biggest juiciest raspberries I’ve ever seen. You would never get such huge raspberries from the supermarket. I think I might just be picking my own all summer long.
Salted caramel may be one of the best things to happen to food in years! I love the idea of going raspberry picking – wish there was somewhere like that near me!
I absolutely love salted caramel, it’s one of those things I still can’t eat to much of it though. I must say fish curry sounds and looks delicious. I especially love the plate!
It can be quite sickly after a while, which is why I like it in dark chocolate because the bitterness really helps.
Totally agree! It’s one of those flavour combinations that just works.
I prefer fish to meat during hot weather too – seems easier to eat somehow.
It feels so much lighter on the stomach in the summer heat.
I enjoy spending my evening watching TV and Blogging. Beautiful pictures.
That sounds like my kind of evening.
Oh my goodness think I need to try that chocolate! I love Blenheim Palace, would love to get married on the bridge there one day!
And what a gorgeous wedding that would be! Blenheim is stunning, they were setting up for a wedding whilst we were there.
Cake is my indulgence when I want a naughty evening – my freezer is handily stacked for such moments 😉
The florals are so pretty! Perfect summer attire.
Watermelon is my summer snack of choice at the moment – so refreshing!
Ha! I love that you are well prepared for when the cake monster strikes! 🙂
At the moment we have a big batch of strawberry lemonade iced tea (from Bluebird) in our fridge- it is lovely to cool down with.
Oh that sounds gorgeous. I really like Fentimans pink lemonade as a nice treat, really refreshing!
That matcha almond cookie looks gorgeous 😀 x
I haven’t been fruit picking in years- it’s so much fun! Sounds like you got a good haul!